Category Archives: International Broadcasting

Happy World Radio Day 2026: Celebrating 80 Years Since UN Radio’s First Broadcast

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Carlos Latuff, who shares a reminder that today — February 13 — marks World Radio Day, celebrated each year on the anniversary of the moment United Nations Radio first went on the air 80 years ago.

This UN News article highlights radio’s enduring role as one of the world’s most accessible and resilient media platforms — capable of crossing borders, reaching remote communities, and delivering trusted information in times of crisis.

From conflict zones to rural villages, radio continues to inform, educate, and connect people in ways few other media can match. The article also reflects on the legacy of UN Radio and the broader importance of public-interest broadcasting in an increasingly fragmented media landscape.

For those of us in the SWL, amateur, and radio enthusiast communities, of course, none of this comes as a surprise. We know firsthand that radio is more than just a technology — it’s a lifeline, a cultural bridge, and often a quiet but powerful force for understanding across borders.

You can read the full UN article here:
https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/02/1166947

Click here to check out the 2026 World Radio Day homepage.

Happy World Radio Day, friends!

World Radio Day: Vatican Radio Celebrates with 7 Multi-Language Programs

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor David Iurescia, who shares the following news from Vatican Radio:

On 13 February 2026, on the occasion of World Radio Day (WRD), Radio Vaticana – Vatican News has organised a special initiative in seven languages with seven radio programs that will become themed podcasts dedicated to the future of radio, public service, innovation, and the relationship between media, society, and artificial intelligence.

The initiative comes the day after the 95th birthday of the Radio of the Popes: 12 February 2026. Founded in 1931 at the behest of Pope Pius XI and created by the father of radio, Guglielmo Marconi, the Pope’s broadcaster is one of the oldest in the world, born to connect the Holy See with every part of the planet and to speak to diverse peoples, cultures, and languages.

Read the full article at Vatican Radio by clicking here.

Tim Davie Warns of Funding Cliff for the BBC World Service

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Mark Hirst, who shares this Guardian article examining the future of the BBC World Service. In the piece, outgoing BBC Director-General Tim Davie warns that the World Service is approaching a serious funding cliff, with the current government support agreement set to expire and no replacement yet in place. Davie emphasizes the continued importance of the World Service’s global reach and trusted journalism at a time when reliable international news is under increasing pressure worldwide.

You can read the full article here:
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/feb/10/bbc-world-service-funding-tim-davie

Radio Bulgaria Marks Its 90th Anniversary with a New QSL Card Series

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Paul Jamet, who shares the following update and QSL card images related to Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) and Radio Bulgaria.

As Radio Bulgaria looks ahead to its 90th anniversary in 2026, Bulgarian National Radio has announced a new commemorative QSL card series for listeners who submit reception reports. The series will include 12 different QSL cards, each highlighting a key moment from the history of BNR and the Radio Bulgaria service. According to BNR, a new card will be released each month, along with a short publication explaining the historical background behind the featured image.

One of the cards commemorates Bulgaria’s first radio transmission in 1929, an important milestone that marked the beginning of organized radio broadcasting in the country. Additional background articles from BNR revisit the early days of Radio Bulgaria and trace how the service evolved into an international broadcaster with listeners around the world.

Paul also points to a broader retrospective titled “BNR at 90 – A Story of Pride and No Prejudice,” which looks back on nine decades of Bulgarian National Radio. The piece reflects on BNR’s history through periods of political change and technological transition, while underscoring the role of public broadcasting in preserving culture and maintaining a connection with international audiences.

Attached at the top and bottom of this post are two QSL cards from Paul’s own collection.

Many thanks again to Paul for sharing both the news and the QSL images!

Radio Taiwan International and Radio Prague Recent Highlights

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor David Iurescia, who shares two stories from the world of international broadcasting:

First, Radio Taiwan International highlights a recent long-distance shortwave exchange between students in Taiwan and Norway. The project combines broadcasting, media literacy, cultural exchange, and disaster-resilient communications, and even prompted reception reports from listeners across northern Europe. Click here to read the full article: https://www.rti.org.tw/en/news?uid=3&pid=188096

Second, Radio Prague International is marking 90 years of international broadcasting this year. To commemorate the anniversary, RPI has released a new series of QSL cards. Click here to read the full article: https://english.radio.cz/90-years-air-radio-prague-international-marks-anniversary-qsl-cards-8875728

BBC Sunday Feature: Leo Sarkisian, The Music Man for Africa

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Many thanks to SWLing Post friend and contributor David Goren, who produced this wonderful BBC Sunday Feature documentary, The Music Man for Africa.

The program explores the remarkable life of Leo Sarkisian, the legendary Voice of America broadcaster who spent decades traveling across Africa (and beyond) with a massive tape recorder, documenting traditional music and sharing it with the world through Music Time in Africa.

You can listen via the BBC here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002przx

If the BBC is geofenced in your part of the world, you can also listen via SoundCloud here (note that it may require a SoundCloud free account to listen):

VOA Funds Included in Spending Bill

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View of the Capitol Building from the roof of the Voice of America on 330 Independence Ave., S.W.

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Dennis Dura, who shares this Radio World report on a proposed U.S. congressional spending bill that would include continued funding for the Voice of America and its parent agency, the U.S. Agency for Global Media. The bipartisan proposal would allocate roughly $653 million to support VOA’s international broadcasting mission and related services, signaling congressional backing for global news and information distribution even as the bill still must clear final approval: https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/business-and-law/proposed-congress-spending-bill-includes-voa-funding